Regarded as the best athlete on the team, Duane Brown started three seasons at offensive tackle after converting from tight end.

After lining up on the right side as a sophomore and junior, Brown was shifted to left tackle as a senior. The offense struggled throughout the 2007 season, as the front wall allowed 54 quarterback sacks after giving up only 29 in 2006.

Brown lettered twice as a tight end and defensive end at Hermitage High School. He was rated the 13th-best prospect in Virginia by the Roanoke Times and Super Prep, ranked 49th among the nation's tight ends by Rivals100.com, and rated 37th on Tom Lemming's All-Mid Atlantic team.

He played in the Panthers' first three games his senior year before suffering a broken leg, but returned for the Central Region semifinal game, catching seven passes for just under 100 yards in his limited playing time. He also recorded 15 tackles, along with a pair of sacks to earn second-team All-District honors.

As a junior, Brown registered 10 catches for 115 yards and two scores, while contributing six sacks on defense. He also lettered in basketball, averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds a game. In track, he finished fourth in the Group AAA outdoor shot put competition.

Brown enrolled at Virginia Tech, red-shirting as a tight end on the scout team in 2003. He appeared in 13 games as a reserve tight end in 2004, catching three passes for 64 yards (21.3-yard average) and one touchdown. He participated on 157 offensive snaps and 150 more on special teams.

Brown was listed second on the depth chart at tight end during fall drills, but prior to the season opener, he moved to right offensive tackle, starting all thirteen games. In 673 offensive snaps, he collected fifteen knockdown blocks. He also appeared in 148 special team plays.

As a junior, Brown continued to excel at right tackle. He registered 22 knockdowns in a total of 806 snaps. He also performed on special teams, recording two tackles while blocking a field goal. He earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition and was voted state Offensive Lineman/End of the Year by the Richmond Touchdown Club.

In 2007, Brown garnered second-team All-ACC honors. He switched to left offensive tackle, totaling 34 knockdowns, but he also allowed 8.5 of the 54 sacks given up by the front wall. He blocked a pair of kicks and registered four tackles. He also became a two-time state Offensive Lineman/End of the Year pick by the Richmond Touchdown Club.

Career Notes
Brown registered 71 knockdown blocks in his three seasons as an offensive tackle...Also recorded six tackles 94 solo) and blocked three kicks on special teams...On offense, he caught three passes for 64 yards (21.3-yard average) and one touchdown, adding three yards on a rushing attempt.

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